Fantasy Football: Week 4 waiver wire

Welcome to the waiver wire. These are my free agent targets for those who play in typical 10-team formats. For those of you who play in deep leagues, these obviously are great players to add, but they are far less likely to be available. If you play in 12 or 14-team formats, please join us at Rotobahn.com, where I will be posting my expanded waiver wire later on Tuesday. The player percentages listed below represent the player’s availability in Yahoo! leagues.

I like his schedule over the next month enough that he can start for me in 10-team leagues if I need a quarterback. Dalton is surrounded by playmakers, and he’s out there for the taking in 27 percent of leagues.

He looks better each time I watch him under coach Marc Trestman. Cutler can help you if you need quarterback help, and he has very solid matchups in the coming weeks. You can get him in 48 percent of leagues.

He’s playing well and his team has a nice schedule for the pass in the coming weeks. He’s taken in 62 percent of leagues, but he can help you if he’s there.

Terrelle Pryor, Raiders

He has some good matchups on the horizon and he can help you on some weeks, even in 10-team formats. He’s available in 80 percent of leagues.

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins

He’s available in 83 percent of leagues and he can help you when the matchup is right. The Dolphins are throwing the ball a lot, and that works just fine for fantasy purposes.

RUNNING BACKS

Le’Veon Bell, Steelers

All of our other backs from last week’s waiver wire have been snatched up based on the ownership numbers, but Bell still is there. He should be starting soon, if not by this weekend. You can land Bell in 38 percent of leagues, and he has high-end RB2 upside.

Bilal Powell, Jets

This is more of a short-term move, but Chris Ivory is injured once again and Powell will get the ball a lot in Week 4. There are other backs to worry about, but Mike Goodson will not be a factor until Week 5 and Alex Green is still getting his feet wet in the offense. Powell is the guy for now, and he can start for you this week if you need him. He’s still available in 54 percent of leagues.

Bernard Pierce, Ravens

If Ray Rice‘s hip keeps him out another week, which it certainly could, Pierce makes a very nice start against the Bills. He’ll be an RB2 in 10-team formats if he makes the start, and he can be had in 35 percent of leagues.

There’s no guarantee he’s the player he was before he got hurt last year, and he’s certainly not in a high-powered offense anymore, but he might be a serviceable back who can help you through the bye weeks. He’s been snatched up in 51 percent of leagues, so you still have a shot at him.

Isaiah Pead, Rams

With starter Daryl Richardson banged up (foot), Pead could start this week. The Rams play on Thursday, and the short week could be a factor. Pead makes a nice pickup, especially for those who want to start Richardson. It’s a good way to cover your tail, and you can get him in 86 percent of leagues.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Josh Gordon, Browns

Gordon is somehow still available in 29 percent of leagues, and that’s a joke. As I said last week, he has WR1 upside. Go get him if he’s there.

DeAndre Hopkins, Texans

He’s available in 27 percent of leagues, and I would nab him if he’s there in yours. Andre Johnson draws coverage, and this kid has serious game. He can be your WR3 if you need him. He should be owned in all leagues.

Kenbrell Thompkins, Patriots

He’s been involved in the red zone all year, and he finally broke through in Week 3. He should be owned in all leagues, and you can still get him in 41 percent.

You’ll only have to wait a week now. He’ll be back for Week 5, and he’ll be a weekly starter if he can maintain the level of play we saw toward the end of 2012. He’s available in 60 percent of leagues. Go get him if you need receiver help.

Aaron Dobson, Patriots

His talents are obvious, and he could develop into quite a red zone weapon. I’d add Dobson if I was looking for some upside at receiver, and he’s available in 81 percent of leagues. Dobson should be a big part of the Patriots offense unless all the other players get healthy at the same time, and the odds of that happening for an extended period seems unlikely.

Floyd has a huge ceiling, and he’s been seeing the ball enough to be a viable option. He’ll likely get better as the year goes on. I like him as a solid bench option who could emerge as your WR3 in time. This guy has serious ability, and you can still get him in 37 percent of leagues.

He’s looked very good over the last two weeks, and it’s time to add him in 10-team formats. The Jets passing game is a bit reinvigorated with rookie Geno Smith at the helm and with Marty Mornhinweg coaching the offense. Holmes can help you during the bye weeks, and he is available in 89 percent of leagues.

TIGHT ENDS

Coby Fleener, Colts

He didn’t do much last week, but his matchups get better now, and with Dwayne Allen out he is going to be heavily involved. Fleener can help you if you have a need at tight end and he’s available in 69 percent of leagues.

Jordan Reed, Redskins

Reed has a bruised right knee that could affect his availability for Week 4. He may be a guy to claim later in the week if he proves to be healthy. Reed is a player with serious upside, and you can get him in 96 percent of leagues. The good news on the injury is that it’s his right leg and not the left leg that troubled him throughout the offseason.